India is home to 1.2 billion people out of whichhalf are under the age of 25 and 35% of the population is under the age of 18. With such a young population,India has the potential to be a significant force on the global stage in the not too distant future. To realize its full potential, we need to build a nation of healthy individuals by investing in human capital.

The state of malnutrition in children in India is disturbing. One in every three children is underweight and 4 out of every 10 are stunted. These are statistics unbecoming of a nation trying to assert itself on the global stage. This is a matter of national prideand each and every one of us should take responsibility in rectifying it.

India’s GDP ranks seventh in the world (third when measured using Purchasing Power Parity which takes into account contextual data and is considered a more useful measure). In spite of that, India’s public health expenditure stands at a paltry 1% of the GDP; the world average is close to 6% and developed nations spend much more than that.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989-90, to which India is a signatory, calls for states to recognize the right of a child to a healthy childhood and urges provision of adequate nutritious food in schools to combat malnutrition. We have to ask the Indian government to do everything in its power to implement this global commitment. .

Do you think it is fair to expect young children to be at their best without enough nutrition? Don’t you think it is time to bury the scourge of malnutrition?

Let us all come together to urge Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi

to tackle malnutrition from the ground up.

for a comprehensive approach towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate all forms of malnutrition by 2030.

bolster proven schemes like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and build a nation of healthy and educated individuals.

These schemes cover an overwhelming majority of vulnerable children (over 95%) and have resulted in reduction in malnutrition, increase in school enrollment, increased retention and improved education levels over the last decade. But, there is still a long way to go.

Let us show strength in numbers by signing this petition and show our support for need in institutional intervention to address this affliction.

Let us leave a better, brighter future for the children of India. The problem is enormous, but not insurmountable. Let us not sit on the sidelines and watch vulnerable children waste away due to lack of will. We must do our part in correcting this. Let us take pride in leaving a better India and World for future generations. The time to act is NOW.

Please sign this petition to show your support and together we will build a strong nation where malnutrition is a thing of the past.